Hayden girls soccer cruises to 10-0 regional win

Wildcats advance to Thursday's regional final vs. Andover Central

This was easy. We’re talking breezing by defenders, strutting through the box and casually lobbing in goals easy.

But, going forward for Hayden’s soccer team — with aspirations of winning a third straight Class 4A-I state title — things won’t be as easy as Tuesday evening’s 10-0 win over Wichita Independent.

Because at this state of the season, taking an opponent for granted or turning in a lackluster effort are liable to end any championship thoughts. So, all told, such a lopsided performance — while impressive — might not have been the best thing for the Wildcats.

“It is tough, it’s tough to keep the intensity up with a game (like this),” Hayden coach Klaus Kreutzer said. “I’ve tried to tell them, you show respect for yourself and for the other team when you play with the same intensity regardless of who the opponent is. It’s difficult as a coach, because I can’t really affect anything.”

Jacki Martinek scored two goals, Jordan Lenherr added two, Margaret Dunshee also scored two goals and tallied an assist and Addie Barry and Jayde Miyamoto each added solo goals as the Wildcats coasted to an 8-0 halftime lead. Emily Gartner then scored a little over three minutes into the second half, and, a few minutes later, Miyamoto strode clear into the box and banged in the clincher at 32:42.

The Wildcats (11-6) will host the regional championship at 4 p.m. Thursday against Andover Central.